Reel motor control



June 22, 1948. DAHLGREN r AL 2,443,763

REEL MOTOR CONTROL Filed March 26, 1946' 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. George Duh/gran fi/r/r Zautewbacfi J 1948- G. DAHLGREN ETAL 2,443,763

REEL MOTOR CONTROL Filed March 26, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. George Dab/gran D/r/r Len/fer; 40/7 ATTORNEY June 22, 1948.

G. DAHLGREN EI'AL REEL MOTOR CONTROL 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 26, 1946 INVENTOR. George flak/grew D/r/r Laufenbacfi ATTO/FWE) preferred embodiment Patented June 22, 1948 REEL MOTOR CONTROL George Dahlgren,

bach, Gary, Ind,

Chicago, m., and our mien, aulgnorl to Carne i -Illinois Steel Corporation, a corporation of New Jenny Application March as, im, Serhl ne'er-mo:

This inventionrelates to an improved reeling device for paying out and reeling in a flexible member, such as a cable.

The invention has among its objects the provision of a compact, easily operated, and rugged reeling device for automatically paying out and reeling in a flexible member.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of such device which allows the use of a motor which continuously rotates in one direction during operation of the device in both the paying out and reeling in operations, the motor being so connected to the reel or drum that the flexible member maybe paid out against the tension applied thereto by the drum and that the member may be automatically reeled in when the tension on the paid out end is reduced or entirely removed.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision in the above described reeling device of an automatic motor control circuit whereby the reel is locked when the motor is stopped and whereby the motor receives less current when thetension in the paid out flexible member is high, thereby protecting the motor against overload and reducing the tension in the flexible member.

These and further objects of the invention will be more readily apparent in the following description.

The reeling device of the present invention will be more fully understood by consideration of the of such device which is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a view of the reeling device partially in side elevation and partially in vertical section, the section being taken through the axis of the reel;

Figure 2 is a view in vertical cross section through the reeling device, the section being taken along the line 11-11 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 'is a view in vertical cross section through the reeling device, the section being taken along the line IIIIII in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged view in vertical cross section through the reeling device, the section being taken along the line IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a view in cross section through the longitudinal axis of the electromagnetic brake provided in the reeling device, such section being taken along the line V--V in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is aschematic wiring diagram of the circuit for'supplying the motor and brake and for controlling them.

In the modification of the reeling device illustion it is desirable 6 Claims. (Cl. 242-45) 2 trated, it is shown as used for reeling in an electrical supply cable for, for example, an electromagnet supported on a crane. In such operathat the magnet supply cable a reel, that it be paid out as the magnet moves away from the reel, that it be kept under at least moderate tension between the reel and the magnet to prevent its becoming fouled, and that the reel shall automatically take up such supply cable when the magnet again moves toward the reel. It is obvious that the reeling device is useful in paying out and reeling in cables for other portable electrical devices, and that instead of being used with electrical cables, it may be used to advantage for paying out and reeling in other elongated flexible members, such as hoses and the like.

As shown in the drawings, the reeling device is provided with a frame 2 which may be ailixed to a suitable foundation, such frame being generally elongated in the direction of the axis of the reel. and having at the upper ends thereof two upwardly projecting arms between which be stored on and its driving mechanism are suspended. In

Figure 1 the arm at the left is designated 4 and the arm at the right is designated 6. Supported on such arms near the upper ends thereof is an internal frame designated generally by the reference character 8, such frame being hollow and being composed of three main portions bolted together as shown, the left hand end 9 having a space suitable to receive the driving motor, the

'central section ill, which is generally cylindrical,

receiving the slip driving means connected to the motor and the reduction gearing connected to the latter, and the right hand portion ii, of reduced cross section at its right hand end, housing the electromagnetic brake, which is connected to the reel driving shaft.

Each end of internal frame 8 is provided with an outwardly directed cylindrical portion located or. the axis thereof, such portion at the left in Figure 1 being designated i2 and that at the right being designated by the reference numeral 14. Projections l2 and i4 are retained in the corresponding arms 4 and 6 by means on the arms resembling split journal bearings, arm 4 being provided with a cap i8 fitting over the projection i2 and being retained on the arm by bolts i8, projection 12, and consequently, the internal frame 8 being prevented from rotation with respect to the arm by means of the set screw 20 projecting through cap i8 and engaging the projection. At the right hand end of the frame, projection i4 is similarly held in arm 6, cap 22 fitting the reel amass A over such projection and the projection being engaged by'set screw 24 through the top of the cap. Projections l2 and i4 extend a substantial distance inside arms 4 and before they join radially directed portions of frame I, so thatprojection I! is provided with a cylindrical bearing portion 24 inside arm 4, and projection I4 is provided with a similar bearing portion 2! inside arm 8. ,The drum In of the reeling device, which is provided with radially directed flanges 32 for the reception of the'flexible member therebetween, is mounted for rotation upon such bearing surfaces of the internal'frame, bearing surface 34 of the drum engaging bearing surface 26"of the internal frame, and bearing surface 38 of the drum engaging bearing surface II on projection i4. The conductor cable which in this instance is to supply, for example, an electromagnet, is designated 38, such cable having a plurality of wraps around the drum between the flanges; as shown cable 38 is being paid ofl at the bottom of the reel through a suitable opening in the bottom of theframe 2. Connection may be made to the inner end of such cable on the drum through the medium of slip rings 42 on the reduced generally cylindrical right hand end of the outer drum, such rings being mounted upon an insulating medium 44.

Drum 30 of the reeling device is driven by means of the electric motor 48 located within the internal frame at the left hand end thereof. Motor 46 is mounted on such frame through the medium of the flanged annulus 48, which likewise serves as a means of connecting together sections 9 and ill of the internal frame 8, the end face of the motor being connected to the annulus by means of cap screws 50. The motor is supplied with current by means of cable 52, which is led through projection it which is made hollow for that purpose.

Motor shaft 54 is keyed to a slip driving device of such character that the torque imposed upon the driven shaft thereof is small when the motor speed is low and that the torque increases as the motor speed'is increased. In the modification shown, such slip driving means, designated 56, is

a fluid clutch similar to that currently used in some makes of automobiles. Fluid clutch 56 is provided with an outer casing 58 keyed to motor shaft 54, such outer casing being provided at the left hand side with a series of driving impellers 60 which thus revolve with the motor shaft. Confronting impellers 60 but mounted for independent rotation is a driven member 62 within housing 58, such member mounting driven impellers 64. As is well known, the casing is partially filled with a fluid, such as oil, such oil transmitting a variable torque from impellers 60 to impellers 64, such torque varying with the speed of the driving impellers.

Driven element 62 of the fluid clutch is keyed to the driven shaft 86, such shaft being additionally supported by ball bearing 68 fixed centrally of the plate 10 which forms an end closure of the section I'O of the internal frame 8. Mounted upon driven shaft 68 is a sun .pinion 12 of a planetary gearing arrangement which constitutes a portion of the means to effect a suitable reduction in speed of the motor for the driving of the reel, pinion 12 being in mesh with three planetary gears 14 as more clearly shown in Figure 2. Gears 14 in turn mesh with ring gear 16 which is fixedly mounted on the inner surface of portion [0 of the stationary internal frame. Planetary bolts I00 passing through gears 14 are mounted upon stub shafts which project from the rotary disk-like member ll.

ember 18 is provided with a huh I! which mounts it for rotation upon shaft 44 beyond pinion 12, the outer portion of such hub being provided with a pinion gear 84. Mounted upon the internal surface of rotatable drum 30 is a ring gear 88 positioned in the vertical plane of pinion 84, connection between the pinion and the ring gear being effected through the medium of a gear 88 which is supported for rotation upon a stub shaft 80 projecting from the fixed end plate Ill.

The gearing shown provides two reductions in speed between the driven shaft 66 and the drum 30, the first, which is of high ratio, being that effected by the planetary gearing, and the second being that. from pinion 84 to ring gear 38. Consequently, even though the drum 30 revolves at moderate speed, a standard as oneof the series type may be employedfor motor 46.

The reeling device is further provided with an electromagnetic brake which becomes effective, thereby holding the drum in fixed position, when the current supply to the motor is broken. Such brake, which is designated generally by the reference character 92, is supplied by means of the cable 93 projecting through the hollow projection M on the right hand end of the internal frame. As more clearly shown in Figure 5, end plate III is provided on its outer face with a series of circumferentially spaced lugs 94 to which the housing 96 of the brake is attached as by means of lush". The solenoid 98 of the brake is located internally of such housing, such housing being hollow, as shown, for the reception of the end of the driven shaft 86 and for the hub of the armature disk (subsequently to be described) mounted thereon. The external end of the housing 96 of the brake is provided with a friction surface I02 for engagement with the brake disk m which is splined to shaft 86 at I06 A coil spring I08, fixed about the end of shaft 86, is interposed between the brake disk I04 and the knurled adjusting nut I Ill on the threaded external end of shaft, whereby the pressure between the brake disk and the friction face of the brake housing may be adjusted.

Within the space between the forward end of the brake housing adjacent the solenoid and the by means of a hub projecting within the solenoid. the armature disk being prevented from rotation by means of engagement between the radial slots 4 provided at the outer edges thereof and the inner surfaces of lugs 94. The armature is prevented from scufling engagement with plate 10 by means of the spacing washer H6 between it and the bearing 68. A suitable provided between the outer end of the hub of the armature disk H2 and the brake disk I04, the combined length of the hub of the disk and the thrust bearing being such that when the brake disk I04 is in firm engagement with the friction face I02 I of the coil housing, armature H2 is spaced a substantial distance from the solenoid face. and when the armature is attracted into contact with such solenoid face the brake disk is thrust clear of the friction face. Thus when the solenoid is de-energized, the braking means is rendered operative and shaft 66 and consequently the drum 3!), are locked from rotation.

The reel driving motor and the electromagnetic brake are preferably connected as shown in Figelectric motor such thrust bearing 8 is are 8. In that figure, current for the motor and brake is shown as supplied from mains Li and La,

' main L1 being connected to the armature I and the field I22 of motor 48, which in this instance is a series motor. Connected in series with the motor is a relay coil I24 of a conventional maximum current relay, wire I26 connecting such coil to resistance I28 and wire Ill connecting the resistance to thesolenoid 98 of the brake. Interposed between line In and coil 28 is a switch I" which allows breaking of the motor circuit for the stopping of the reel. Connected to wire I26 is a wire Ill connected to one of the contacts I32, the other contact being connected to wire Ill by wire. I", contacts I32 being closed when the current through coil I24 lies below a certain predetermined value to short-circuit resistance I28, such contacts being opened by the relay when the current through coil I24 rises above such value. By reason of the series connection of solenoid 98 of the brake with the motor, the brake is rendered inoperative when the motor is rotating but looks the reel from rotation when the motor is stopped by opening the circuit.

The reeling device of the present invention functions to maintain tension continuously upon the flexible member heldthereon during both paying out and reeling in operations. When such tension is low, as'when the paid out cable is allowed freely to return to the reeling drum, that the load imposed on the motor issmall, the current flow therethrough is consequentl relatively low,' 'and under such condition the maximum current relay will be inoperative so that resistance I2. is short-circuited. Should however, a substantial back tension be imposed upon the flexible member, as when the member is restrained in its return to the drum, or upon paying out of -the member against the tension imposed by the drum, the load upon motor 48 increases. Thereupon the maximum current relay functions to raise its contactor from contacts I32, thereby placing resistance I 22 in series with the motor. This both cuts down the current flow through the motor, protecting it from damage by overheating, and also markedly reduces its speed, thereby greatly reducing the torque transmitted through the fluid clutch I, but at the same time continuing to transmit sufficient torque therethrough to insure that the cable tensioned by the reel will remain taut. Thus the reeling device of the present invention allows the flexible member to be paid out and reeled in under a continuous tension by use of a continuously rotating unidirectional driving means. Such tension, however, by reason of the novel driving arrangement of the device, is always maintained at a point well below that at which the flexible member would be damaged;

Having thus fully disclosed the reeling device of the present invention, we desire to claim as new the following.

We claim:

l. A device for paying out and reeling in an elongated flexible member comprising a rotary electric motor adapted to run continuously in one direction during both the.paylng out and reeling in operations of the device, a slip driving means having driven connection with the electric motor, a drum driven by the slip driving means, an electrical circuit for supplying current to the electric motor, an electromagnetic brake having an operating solenoid, the brake being connected to the drum to stop the reel upon deenergization of the solenoid,;the solenoid being connected in the electricaiicircuit in series with the motor, means in the electrical circuit including a maximum current relay in series with the motor, a resistance in series with the motor, and contacts operated by the relay to short-circuit the resistance upon flow of current through the relay below a predetermined maximum value and to introduce the resistance in the circuit when such current rises above such maximum, whereby when the tension in the flexible member on the drum rises above a predetermined value the current consumption of the'motor and its speed are reduced. I

2. A device for paying out and reeling in an elongated flexible member comprising an elongat,e'd hollow drum-{means supporting the drum for rotation ab'out'its axis, driving means for the drum'located within the drum, said driving means comprising an electric motor adapted for continuous rotation in one direction, means for supporting the motor within the reel, a slip driving means having driven connection with the electric motor, and means connecting the slip driving means to the drum so that the latter is driven thereby.

8. A device for paying out and reeling in an elongated flexible member comprising an elongated hollow internal frame, means for non-rotatably supporting the frame, a hollow drum mounted for rotation about the internal frame, driving means for the drum located within and supported on the internal frame, said driving means comprising an electric motor adapted to run continuously in one direction during 'both paying out and reeling in operations of the device, a fluid clutch having driven connection with the electric motor, and a positive, speed reducing, driving means interposed between the fluid clutch and the drum.

4. A device for paying out and reeling in an elongated flexible member comprising an elongated hollow internal frame, means on the opposite ends of the internal frame for supporting the frame non-rotatably, bearing means on the ends of the internal frame inwardly of the frame supporting means, a hollow drum supported for rotation on the bearing means on the internal frame, driving means for the drum located within and supported on the internal frame, said driving means comprising an electric motor adapted to run continuously in one direction during both paying out and reeling in operations of the device, a fluid clutch having driven connection with the electric motor, and a positive. speed reducing, driving means interposed between the fluid clutch and the drum.

5. A device for paying out and reeling in an elongated flexible member comprising an elongated hollow internal frame, means on the opposite ends of the internal frame for supporting the frame non-rotatably, bearing means on the ends of the internal frame inwardly of the frame supporting means, a hollow drum supported for rotation on the bearing means on the internal frame, driving means for the drum located within and supported on the internal frame, said driving means comprising an electric motor adapted to run continuously in one direction during both paying out and reeling in operations of the device, a fluid clutch driven directly by the motor, a positive, speed reducing, driving means driven by the fluid clutch interposed between the fluid clutch and the drum, said speed reducing means including a planetary gear speed reducer, and an electromagnetic brake located within the internal frame and associated with the portion of the driving means which is positively connected to the drum, such brake having an operating coll, the brake being so constructed and arranged as selectively to secure the drum from rotation by operation or the brake coil. 1

6. A device for paying out and reelingin an elongated flexible member comprising a rotary electric motor adapted to run continuously in one direction during both the paying out and reeling in operations 01' the device, a fluid clutch 10 having driven connection with the electric motor.

a drum driven by the slip driving means. an electrical circuit for supplying current to the electric motor, and an electromagnetic brake having an operating solenoid, the brake being connected to 15 the drum to stop the reel upon deenerxization of the solenoid, the solenoid being connected in the electrical circuit in series with the motor.

' y GEORGE DAELGREN.

DIRK LAUTENBACH.

REFERENCES crrnn The following references are of record in the file of this Patent:

. UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,042,481 Patterson June 2, 1986 2.055.681 Cartlidse Sept. 29, 1986 2,280,932

Schaelchlin Apr. 28, 1942 V 

